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Garza touts Navarro as run-stopper, mentor

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MESA, Ariz. -- When asked what the Cubs needed on the roster, Matt Garza suggested a veteran backup catcher to help Welington Castillo. Garza didn't know the Cubs would get one of his favorites, Dioner Navarro.

"He provides a force back there," Garza said of his former Rays teammate. "He's known to stop a running game, and people don't run on him. ... Teams that rely on speed or the small game, a guy like Navarro behind the plate, he'll shut it down. That's a huge thing for a pitcher."

Castillo, who took over the starting job after Geovany Soto was dealt, can also tap into Navarro's experience.

"Having a guy like Navy as a backup will be a huge help, and not only for the rotation but the learning curve to get Castillo there quicker," Garza said.

"It's tough to go to a rookie, because a rookie is having a hard time feeling comfortable," Garza said. "Other pitchers could go, 'Hey, can you help Welly with this? Can you do this?' [Navarro] has been in the same predicament as Welly has. I've seen it -- Navy is a great guy to have around."

Garza said he wasn't going to request being matched up with Navarro in games.